Hose coupling



Dec.24,1940. 4 F. T. CHRIST. 2,225,610

HOSE 'COUPLING Filed Jan. 3, 1938 Coating INVENTOR.`

UMS/S: l" I Efira/w Patented Dec. 24, y1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSE COUPLING Ware Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 183,039 1 claim. (c1. 285-169) 'Ihe present invention relates to hose couplings and more particularly to vquick detachable selfsealing couplings especially adapted for use with solvent or corrosive uids.

In couplings of the type indicated, it is customary to seal the joint between the parts of the coupling by means of a thimble or washer of resiliently deformable material such as rubber or the like. When solvent or corrosive fluids are being handled, however, there is a tendency for such sealing element to deteriorate by swelling, deforming and losing its resiliency so as to impair the operation of the coupling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hose coupling incorporating a sealing member which ywill retain its eiiectiveness over long periods of use under adverse conditions.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the sealing member is of compositelor reenforced construction.

It is a further object to provide such a device in which the sealing member comprises a base or frame of elastic material such as spring metal, coated with a flexible sealing compound such as rubber or the like.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which: V

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal substantially mid-sectional view of a coupling embodying a preferred form of 'the invention; y

Fig. 2 is a similar viewV partly'in elevation showing the parts of the coupling in disassembled relation; and

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the flexible sealing element. f I

In Fig. 1 ofv the drawing there is generally indicated by the numeral I a socket member formed in two parts, the inner part 2 being inthe thimble 24 lin .the direction to release the ternally threaded for the reception of an attaching bushing 3 of any suitable form, and the outer part 4 being threaded to the inner part as shown at 5.

A sealing member here shown in the form of a dished washer indicated generally at 6 is seated in the inner part 2 of the couplingsocket against a shoulder 1 therein and is maintained in fluidtight engagement with, said shoulder by means of a spacing ring 8 bearing against a shoulder 9 in the interior of the outer socket member 4, and clamping the sealing member against the shoulder 1 when the parts of the socket are threaded together.

A nipple II is adapted to enter the socket I and is provided with a smooth terminal surface I2 arrangedl to engage the sealing member adjacent its inner periphery. Means for detachably retaining the nipple II in the socket member is provided in the form of a contractible annular locking member I3 here shown in the form of a ring of cylindrical beads I4 (Fig. 2) strung loosely on a retaining wire I5. The locking annulus I3 is retained in the outer member 4 of the socket I adjacent an inwardly inclined 10 surface I6 therein by means of an annular retainer I1 having fingers extending between the beads I4 and having a radial ange I8 arranged to be engaged by a compression spring I9 in the socket I and effective to urge the locking annulus I3 against the inclined surface I6 so as to cause the annulus to be constrict'ed thereby.

A locking groove 2I is formed in the periphery of the nipple II in position to receive the annulus I3 when the nipple isnserted in the socket to such a depth that the end surface I2 of the nippe engages and compresses the sealing member Means for releasing the annulus from locking engagement in the groove 2I is provided in the 25 form of a sleeve 22 slidably mounted in the outer end of the socket member 4 and provided with a bevelled surf-ace 23 arranged to engage the annulus and lift it out of locking position. Means for manually actuating the releasing sleeve 22 is 30 provided in the form of a thimble 24 slidably l mounted on the exterior of the socket member 4 and retained thereon by suitable means such as a pin or rivet 25 seated in the socket member and engaging in a slot 26 in said thimble. thimble 24 is provided with an inwardly extendy ing ange 21 arranged to engage the protruding end of the releasing sleeve 22 whereby pressure applied to the thimble 24 in a direction to cause it to telescope with the coupling member moves lockingannulus I3.4 In accordance with the present invention, th

sealing member 6 is formed as a composite disc comprising a base 28 of suitable elastic material 5 such as stainless steel, and a sealing and protecting coating 29 of rubber or analogous material bonded to the steel base and arranged to engage the end surface I2 of the nipple II to seal the connection between the nipple and socket. When the fluid to Vbe conveyed is Vof corrosive nature, it is preferable to have the coating 29 completely enclose and protect the base 28 as here illustrated. When the fluid is not injurious to the spring material, however, but,

The 35 .forced back into the socket against the compression of spring I9, the inclined surface I6 of the socket thereby permitting the ring to expand to receive the nipple. When the nipple has been introduced in the socket to a position where the end surface I2 thereof has engaged rmly against the sealing member 6, the locking ring I3 is snapped into the groove 2l by the spring I9. Introduction of fluid under pressure through the coupling thereafter causes pressure against the rear of the sealing member`6 in a direction to cause an ejection of the nipple from the coupling. Any force tending to eject the nipple, however, merely causes the locking member I3 to be wedged more tightly into the groove 2| by the inclined surface I6 of the coupling.

When it is desired to remove the nipple, it is merely necessary for the operator to press the thimble y24 against the coupling, whereupon the flange 21 lcauses the releasing sleeve 22 `to engage and lift the locking ring I3 out of the groove 2|, whereupon the nipple Il may be Withdrawn.

The segregation of the functions of the sealing member 6 and the formation thereof as a composite, member, the elements of which are par- `out deterioration. When rubber or rubber substitutes have hitherto been used for sealing purposes, it has been found that the sealing member swells and loses its elasticity ina comparatively short time so as to render the coupling commercially unsatisfactory.

In the present device, the steel backing 28 of the sealing member 8 retains its elasticity indefinitely. whereas the coating of rubber or rub' ber substitute is so thin that swelling and softening thereof is of no significance, whereas its seal.- ing effect is not impaired but may even be im proved. It has been found that couluings of this character are capable of entirely satisfactory performance over long periods of use in connection with fluids which have heretofore caused rapid deterioration and necessitated frequent replacement of coupling elements.

Although but one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will -be understood that other embodiments are possible and various changes may be made in the proporsaid socket comprising a composite annular sealing member consisting o f a base of elastic sheet metal and a layer of elastically deformable sealing compound bonded to opposite sides of the base, andpmeans associated with the socket including an annulus for clamping the rim of the sealing member against the shoulder in such position that the nipple engages the inner Deliphery of the sealing member for uid tight sealing engagement therewith. FRANK T. CHRISTIAN. 

